Micro-credit schemes give mentally ill people a vital source of start-up capital for their own enterprises.

These enterprises range from rearing small holdings of animals such as goats and chickens to making and selling food-stuffs to running a small shop.

In India, a self-help group of women and people with disabilities has been set up and they are learning about savings and how to access credit schemes and government poverty alleviation schemes. These helped them set up their own businesses so they can work their way out of poverty.

Giving someone the chance for to start a business can have a massive impact on their lives.

Vijayalakshmi was a normal teenager growing up in Bangalore, India, until her brothers got her married to a man who turned out to be an alcoholic. He did no work so it fell to Vijayalakshmi to provide for him and her two children with her small labouring job, as well as having to put up with his constant abuse.

Soon depression set in and she came close to suicide. In an effort to get her life on track, she sold some of her possessions and set up a small shop in the village. Unfortunately, the shop didn’t take off. Her husband ate most of her goods and it ran into a loss.

On her way to purchase stock for her shop one day, the van she was travelling in skidded off the road and she was badly injured – her leg had to be amputated. Returning to her village she found that her shop had been ransacked; her husband had sold its contents and used the money to buy drink. With no way of earning any money she was forced into poverty. The only way she survived was by searching the field for leaves to eat. No one helped her.

At that point her world fell apart and all she could think about was suicide. Luckily, it was at this time she was identified by our partners, GASS. Alongside her treatment, she was given a loan of 3000Rupees (approx £38) to restart her shop. This time, it has been a great success. The shop has given her a sense of purpose in her life and she no longer thinks of suicide anymore. It has even given her the confidence to get away from her husband. She is gradually repaying her loan and dreams of expanding it in the future.

Giving mentally ill people the chance to start a business not only helps with their treatment and general sense of self-esteem, but also breaks down the stigma surrounding their illnesses.

A business is a step towards a long-term recovery.